Construction form



Dec. 29, 1953 R. c. YATES 2,663,925

CONSTRUCTION FORM Filed June 2, 1950 INVENTOR.

M Ti i I 00M, Q. Z3aau ATTORNEY.

Patented Dec. 29, 1953 CONSTRUCTION FORM Richard C. Yates, Binghamton, N. Y., assignor to Binghamton Metal. N. Y.,

Forms, Inc., Binghamton, a corporation of New York Application June 2, 1950, SerialNo. 165,774

2 Claims. 1-

This invention relates to building equipment and more particularly to forms adapted for use in building structures including roads, walls, curibs and the like of concrete and similar materia s.

One of' the objects of the present invention is to provide novel apparatus of the above character' which is so constructed that separable forms or sections thereof may be readily and quickly connected to and disconnected from one another.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel building equipment of the above type embodyingend connections for detachably connecting' forms. or sections of different kinds and sizes, such as rigid and flexible forms or forms of different heights.

Still another object is to provide novel means for connecting road rails and similar forms for concrete and like. structures whereby said rails or forms may be removed from the completed struc- 1ture without appreciable danger of damaging the atter.

A further object is to provide a sturdy and reliable end connecting means for such forms or rails which will greatly facilitate the use of the latter and thereby reduce labor costs and speed up construction.

Another object is to provide a novelly constructed flexible form or rail of the above character and for the purposes above mentioned.

Av still further object is to provide forms for building roads and the like which are novelly constructed to insure that a series of connected units will stay on line and grade.

A still further object is to provide a road rail or the like wherein the end connections therefor are secured thereto in a novel'and advantageous manner. v

The above and further objects and novel features of the invention will more fully appear from the following detailed description when'the same is read in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intendedas a definition of the limits of the invention.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views,

Fig. l is an isometric view illustrating exam ples of rigid and flexible forms embodying the invention, said forms being shovvnin detached relation and one having a central portion thereof broken away;

Fig. '2is .a detail sidexelevation view on an ontion being taken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig.2;

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view taken substantially on line 4-4 of- Fig. 2'; and

Fig. 5 is a detail end. view of a form of reduced height.

The invention as illustrated in the drawing by way of example is embodied in conneotable; sections of road rails or forms adapted to be connected end to end for use in building roads, curbs,

walksv or thelike of concrete or similar materials.

As a general rule these sections are used by setting up a series thereof in end to end relation along a desired line and grade in a manner Well understood in the art to confine and support the concrete or other material until it sets or hardens. During installation and during removal of; the forms from one location to another, the same are subjected to rough handling and other severe shocks and stresses. They are also subjected to severe strains and stresses during actual use and must accordingly be very sturdily constructed to avoid bending or twisting thereof as well as other forms of damage. On the other hand, forms of this character should preferably be of sufliciently light weight and so constructed so as to permit. easy and accurate installation thereof by a minimum number of persons and in a minimum period of time. In this regard the manner in which. the sections or forms are connected at their ends is of importance, as it also is with regard to the ease and rapidity with which the forms may be removed and transported Without damaging the structure which. may not be com pletely dry. Lightness of Weight also contributes to the ease with which the forms. may be supported by stakes. in, the event the same are not, resting upon the ground or other natural SUP- portas is often the case. when the forms. are originally installed. The novel construction of the present invention is such thatv all of these, results are attained.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in. Fig. 1 of the drawings, a rigid section or form body In is channel shaped in vertical transverse. section and comprises a web [I which normally assumes a vertical position during use. Any upper horizontal flan e l2. extends at right angles. to the web and is provided with a turned down. edge 14 thereby forming what may be called a double flange I2, [4. Extending at substantially right angles fromthelower edge of web Hi is a flange 15, the outer edge [6 of which is turned upwardly to form a so-called double flange l5, 16. The upper flange l2 and the upper edge of web ll may be provided with spaced slots I! for locating division plates (not shown) which may extend between spaced parallel forms and cooperate therewith in a manner which is well understood in the art.

Suitable means such as a plurality of so-called stake pockets are preferably integrated and associated with form body 10 for simultaneously strengthening the same and affording means whereby the same may be easily and properly positioned and supported with reference to the desired line and grade of the edge or side of the structure being built, while at the same time minimizing the weight and number of component parts and advantageously locating the center of gravity of the completed form. The stake pockets are preferably of the same construction as that disclosed and claimed in my copending application Ser. No. 146,850 filed February 28, 1950, for Form for Concrete and the Like. Each stake pocket comprises a strap 18 which may be made by stamping out and bending to shape a single piece'of sheet steel or the like. The radius of the bend or bite at the center of the sheet or strap 18 is such that the inner surface thereof will closely frictionally engage the surface of and preferably resiliently grip a cylindrical stake 23 the purpose and operation of which will be hereinafter more fully pointed out. p The opposite sides of the pocket member l8 diverge toward and engage web ll between flanges l2 and IS, the vertical edges of said member being welded or otherwise suitably secured to body web I I. The upper end of member I8 preferably extends into the channel formed by the web H and double flange 12, i4 and is preferably welded or otherwise securely attached to the form body ID. The outer portion of the stake pocket including the bend therein extends outwardly beyond the outer edge of flange l5 and downwardly a distance approximately equal to the height of the upturned edge portion [6. The vertical edges of the downwardly extending portion or tab being welded to the outer face of flange 16 or otherwise suitably secured thereto. Thus, outside the lower double flange of the form body of the is in the same or approximately the same horizontal plane as the lower face of flange I5. It will be seen therefore, that the lower extended portions of the stake pockets serve as means for assisting in supporting the form in edgewise or standing position (as shown in the drawings) before the stakes are inserted and driven as is highly desirable during the lining up and installation procedure.

The stake pockets when thus integrated with the form body l constitute therewith a rigid unitary structure the resistance of which to bending or twisting is of substantial magnitude. The strength of such a construction makes it possible to use lighter materials and hence, produce lighter forms without sacrificing essential strength. The number of stake pockets installed on each section or form is of course optional, but

the number required to produce a satisfactory margin of safety is minimized by the novel features Of the present invention. In one suitable embodiment two stake pockets are used on a rigid form 10 feet long said pockets being spaced feet apart and equi-distant from opposite ends of the form.

In the embodiment illustrated, the form body 15 lower-most edge of the stake pocket held in proper position and supported above the ground when necessary by flat wedge members 24 which cooperate with stakes 23. The wedge members slidably extend through oppositely disposed slots 25, 25 in the walls of stake pocket l8 and frictionally engage stakes 23 in a manner well understood in the art. The thickness of wedge 24 is preferably only slightly less than the width of slots 25 to thereby permit free sliding movement of the wedge. In order to prevent accidental removal and loss of the wedge, one end thereof for example, the right hand end in Fig. i, may be made wider or thicker than slot 25 and the opposite end may be provided with a bead 2B which will prevent passage of the wedge through the slot.

In order to better illustrate the versatility of the novel end connections comprehended by the present invention, and to be hereinafter fully described, the rigid form I0 is illustrated in conjunction with a novel flexible section or form used in building structures with rounded corners such as, gutters or curbs at road intersections. As illustrated, said flexible section comprises a body or web 30 of flexible sheet metal of suitable width. Secured to the outer face of said web and suitably spaced longitudinally thereof are a plurality of stake pockets which are similar to stake pockets l8. Each pocket on the flexible form comprises a bent strap 3| of sheet metal having its edges welded or otherwise suitably secured to web 30. A stake 23 is received in the bite or bend of each pocket and suitable connection is made by a wedge 24 which extends through slots in strap 3!. The lower edge of web 30 is normally positioned and spaced at a desired distance from the stakes 23 by suitably spaced angle pieces or plates 32, which are preferably welded to the web. Although the spacing of pockets 3| and spacer bars 32 may vary in different structures, in one suitable embodiment six stake pockets are used on a ten foot form the same being spaced 20 inches apart and 10 inches from each end. This provides adequate support for the form and does not unduly restrict the longitudinal flexibility of the unit. In the interest of clarity only two stake pockets are illustrated in the drawings on form body 30. 7

Novel means are provided whereby the rigid form [0 may be quickly and securely connected in an advantageous manner to a similar form or section of the same or different height or to a flexible form 30 of the same or different height. As illustrated, said means comprises cooperating end pieces or flanges on the form bodies constituting pin and slot type connections which embody advantageous cam action to facilitate assembly and disassembly of the connected sections.

In a preferred embodiment one end piece comprises an angle iron 35, one side 36 of which is welded on otherwise suitably secured to the vertical web portion of the form body and, the other side 3'! of which extends outwardly at substantially right angles to the web and substantially flush with the end edge of the form. One or a plurality of vertically spaced bolts or pins 38 project through flange 31 and beyond the end of the form body in the direction of the section to be connected thereto. The pins or dowels 38 may have a sliding fit in flange 31 but preferably they have a drive fit therein to guard against accidental loss thereof. If desired, the pins may of course be permanently or removably secured in the end flanges 31 in any suitable known manner. For a purpose to appear hereinafter, the project- 5 ing end of each pin 38 may have a slot 39 therein (Fig. 4).

The cooperating end piece or member on the adjacent form body consists of an angle iron 49 having one side suitably secured to the form web in the same manner as is member 35. The outwardly projecting flange 4! thereof is provided with one or more slots or notches 43 for receiving pins 38. The lower or closed end of each slot 43 is preferably semi-circular with a radius comparable to that of pin 38 so that when the latter is seated in the slot, the adjacent ends of the form bodies will be in substantial alignment. The upperand lower edges of slots 43 make an acute angle with the outer edge of flange 4i and preferably diverge somewhat from one another, as is best seen in Fig. 3, to provide a relatively large mouth or opening into the slot or notch, thereby facilitating the. lateral reception and removal of the pins by and from the slots. The angularity of the sides of the slots 43 also serves to cam the forms into and out of proper position when the same are being assembled and disassembled.

For the purpose of providing further assurance of proper alignment of connected rigid sections or forms It), each form is provided at one end with a guide member or saddle 45. As shown the latter consists of a half-pound plate welded or otherwise suitably secured to the lower face of flange l2 with the semi-circular end thereof extending beyond the end of the flange for engagement by the lower surface of the corresponding upper flange on the adjoined section. The rounded projecting end serves as a guide and support which is of assistance to the workmen when assembling and disassembling the sections without interfering with desirable angular movement of one section relative to the other. Guides 45 are preferably located at the same ends of the forms as are slotted or notched end pieces 4|] so that the pins or dowels 38 on one form or section will drop into notches 43 as the upper flange of the form comes to rest on the extended portion of member 45.

In order to minimize the internal strains and stresses in the vertical web of the form when end members 35 and 49 are welded thereto said members are secured in position in a novel manner.

The flanges 36 and 42 of said members have spaced holes therein and the connecting welds 46 are made through said openings.

In some installations and particularly those involving a flexible form 33, it may be desirable to provide means for holding the adjacent ends of connected forms together. Endwise separation may be prevented or limited by the use of tapered keys or wedges 4'! which fit into slots 39 in dowels 38. By wedging said keys between the face of flange 4i and the remote ends of slots 39 the two flanges 3B and 4| and, hence the form bodies to which the same are attached, will be drawn together and held against endwise separation.

It will be apparent that without changing the spacing of pins 38 and notches 43 the height of a form or section may be reduced. Also the height of a form may be diminished to the extent of removing one of the notches 43 or pins 38 in which event the remaining notch or pin is left in a suitable position to cooperate with one of the pins or notches on the adjacent form. Where forms of diiferent heights are connected together, it is usually desirable that the upper edges thereof be in alignment on grade. It is accordingly preferable to space the corresponding notches and pins 62.. equal or-corresponding distances from the topin each kind or size of forms apt to be used together.-

There is thus provided novel construction forms which are simplified to the :utmost from the point of viewof structure'as well as with respect to use and operation. The forms provided make possible a rigid hook-up of keyed together forms which is o'fc'onsiderableadvantage where space tion of forms of different heights to one another.

The construction also facilitates installation and removal of the sections or forms particularly when removal of an intermediate form as distinguished from an end form is desired. A sturdy and dependable flexible construction form which will negotiate a relatively sharp turn is also provided.

Although only a limited number of modifications and embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings or described in the foregoing specification, it is to be expressly understood that the invention is not limited thereto. For example the invention may be adapted to other specific types of form bodies, such as those having singlerather than double flanges at top and bottom. Although the forms shown have a notched end connection member at one end thereof and a pin supporting member at the other end, it will be clear that alternate forms in a series of connected forms may have the notched members at both ends and the remaining forms may have pin supporting members at both ends. If desired, flanges 32, 31 and 4! may be formed integrally with the webs to which they are attached. Additionally, each end connection may consist of only one or more than two pins and cooperating notches. Various other changes such as in the design and arrangement of the parts illustrated may also be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as will now be understood by those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:

l. A construction form comprising an elongated, longitudinally-flexible sheet metal web, a plurality of longitudinally spaced stake pockets secured to one face of said web adjacent the upper edge thereof, each of said stake pockets consisting of a sheet metal strap bent to V-shape to embrace a stake at the bend and having the end edges thereof secured to said web in spaced parallel relation, said end edges extending transversely across said web and being secured directly thereto by welding, and a horizontal flange member secured to said web below each of said pockets for spacing the lower edge of said web from stakes extending through said stake pockets,

each of said flange member being short in the longitudinal direction of said web to permit flexing of the latter intermediate members.

2. A construction form comprising an elongated, flexible sheet metal web, a plurality of stake pockets mounted on one face thereof in spaced relation to one another adjacent the upper edge of the web, each said pocket consisting of a sheet metal strap bent at its center for receiving a adjacent flange stake within the bend thereof and having the end edges of the diverging sides thereof extending vertically in parallel spaced relation and metallically bonded to said web, and a, horizontal flange on said web below each of said stake pockets for spacing the bottom edge of said web from said stakes, each of said flange members being short in the longitudinal direction of said web to permit flexing of the latter intermediate adjacent flange members.

RICHARD C. YATES.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Number 8 Name Date Sullivan Sept. 24, 1901 Callahan Mar. 7, 1911 Wiltfong June 13, 1911 Keenan June 15, 1915 Pulis Dec. 18, 1923 Trester June 17, 1924 Reid July 13, 1926 Heltzel Oct. 4, 1927 Heltzel Oct. 4, 1927 Venable Dec. 6, 1927 Heltzel Feb. 5, 1929 Dieckmann May 16, 1933 Heltzel Dec. 12, 1933 

